The United Kingdom is home to several incredible cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bath and Oxford. The United Kingdom has a rich history with great cultures. This is the reason why the cities of the United Kingdom are so popular all over the world. Most of those who love to travel have the UK on their wish list. UK’s cities showcase the glorious past and the present of the country. However, it is a common thing that people find it difficult to select the cities which they should visit. As a result of this, they often miss some of the most beautiful places.
So, to help everyone who is planning to visit the United Kingdom, here is a list of the Top 10 best cities in the UK as of 2024. Moreover, some of the must-visit places in these cities are also mentioned below
1. London
London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom is a vibrant and diverse city that attracts millions of tourists each year. It is also the largest and most populous city in the United Kingdom. The city is located on the bank of the River Thames and was established by the Romans. It is one of the most important and popular cities in the world.
London is the cultural capital of the United Kingdom as well. It is the perfect place for culture lovers, London has some world-class museums and galleries, such as the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate Modern. The West End is home to some of the world’s finest theatres, that present outstanding performances of musicals, plays, and ballets.
It is a very lovely city with beautiful nightlife, offering an array of pubs, bars, clubs, and live music venues. It is also popular for its historical and architectural wonders. As London is such an old city over the years it has seen different types of architectural styles. The Shard, the tallest building in the UK is also located here.
It is the financial capital of the United Kingdom with some of the major financial institutions being located here. Moreover, the headquarters of many big multinational companies are also located here. Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in the UK and is also located in London City. People from different parts of the world go to London because it gives a huge opportunity to everyone.
London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and people from all over the world come to visit London. Some of the major tourist attractions of the city are London Tower, Majestic Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, London Eye, the Science Museum, Tower Bridge, etc.
2. Manchester
Located in Northern England the city of Manchester is one of the best cities in the UK. It is the city from which the Industrial Revolution began. Manchester was very famous at that time because of its textile industry. It got city status in 1853.
The city is currently one of the most exciting cities in the world as it has a great history along with all the modern things. The city of Manchester is mostly famous for its rich history, vibrant culture, vibrant music, and world-class football. It is also one of the most liveable cities in Europe.
Manchester as a city has something for everybody. It is a very diverse city as people from different countries of the world have immigrated here making the culture of the city very beautiful as well. The architecture of the city is a reminder of different types of architectural styles and their beauty.
Manchester is also an important economic centre of the United Kingdom as well. Some of the major sectors are biotechnology, digital media, finance, law etc. Manchester is also one of the most preferred cities for foreign students with excellent education and great job opportunities.
Manchester is most famous for its football heritage. The city has two popular football clubs, one is Manchester United club and the other is Manchester City club. Football fans from all over the world flock to the city to watch matches at Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium.
It is also a tourist city and some of the most popular landmarks of the city of Manchester are the Manchester Museum, Castlefield Urban Heritage Park, Imperial War Museum, Manchester Art Gallery with an impressive collection of fine art, the National Football Museum, etc.
3. Birmingham
Birmingham is the second largest city in England and it is located in the West Midlands. The city of Birmingham got city status in 1889. Birmingham was another important city during the Industrial Revolution. The city, like all other major cities during the Industrial Revolution, grew very fast. The climate of Birmingham is of temperate Maritime type with warm summers and cold winters.
Birmingham is also a very diverse city with nearly 44% of the people being immigrants background. It is also a very lively city with great people, nightlife, architecture and culture. The city made its mark on the world map as a manufacturing and engineering hub during the Industrial Revolution.
The majority of the city’s economy is based on the service sector, industries, and tourism. It is also the largest city in the United Kingdom when it comes to employment in the public, health and education sectors. Headquarters of companies like National Express, Claire’s etc are also located here.
Some of the major tourist attractions of Birmingham are Legoland, Sea Life, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Cadbury World, Thinktank Science Museum, etc. With its rich history, lively nightlife and friendly locals, Birmingham offers a unique and compelling experience for visitors. Whether you’re exploring its historic landmarks or simply engaging yourself in the vibrant urban atmosphere, the city of Birmingham is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. The city is also home to several top-level sports Clubs such as Aston Villa Football Club and Birmingham City Football Club.
4. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of the most popular cities in the United Kingdom. Edinburgh is the centre of the Scottish government, parliament and court as well. It is also the second most visited city in the United Kingdom. The climate of Edinburgh is temperate Maritime climate which is moderately cold because of the sea.
Edinburgh like any other city of the United Kingdom is also a very diverse city with a very diverse culture and population. The economy of Edinburgh is dependent on financial services, education, tourism and scientific research. Some of the major financial institutions headquartered in Edinburgh are the Bank of Scotland, NatWest Group, Tesco Bank etc. The public sector also played in the growth of the city as well.
Tourism is another space on which the city of Edinburgh is quite dependent. In Edinburgh, many music festivals, and film festivals are also organized. Some of the most popular landmarks of Edinburgh are the National Museum of Scotland, the Museum on the Mound, Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, the Scott Monument etc.
5. Liverpool
The city of Liverpool located in Merseyside, North West England is one the most important and oldest port cities in the UK. This port city was a very important city during the Industrial Revolution because of the port. Liverpool is one of the most beautiful cities in the United Kingdom with the architecture of the past still being preserved to preserve the city’s culture. Liverpool city is famous for its rich musical heritage. It is also the birthplace of the famous music band the Beatles.
Like other cities of the United Kingdom Liverpool also has a temperate Maritime climate with mild summers and cold winters. The city has a fantastic culture and locality. The economy of the city also mainly depends on the service sector, tourism, and port. However, the majority of the share of the economy of Liverpool is made by the service sectors. The city is also home to two Premier League football clubs, Liverpool FC and Everton FC
It has always been an important port because of the shipbuilding and the cruise liner port. One must for once enjoy the city’s music culture as it has been given the Pop capital of the world. Other famous tourist attractions of Liverpool are the World Museum, Liverpool Cathedral, Anfield, Cavern Club, Royal Liver Building, Albert Dock, etc.
6. Bath
The city of Bath located in Somerset, South West England is a historical city. Known for its natural hot springs and stunning Georgian architecture. The city was named Bath because of the Roman baths found here which is a unique identification of the place.
The architecture of Bath is Gregorian style and most of the buildings of the past were made from yellow limestones. The pale yellow colour of the buildings gives the city a unique charm that fills astutely pleasing.
Bath was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site back in 1987. Moreover, in 2021 Bath was given the title of ‘Great Spa Towns of Europe’. For those who want relaxation, the ‘Thermae Bath Spa’ offers a modern twist on the city’s ancient thermal baths. The climate of Bath is also temperate type but it is more wetter and milder than the rest of the United Kingdom.
Bath was once a manufacturing hub of cranes, furniture, printing, brass foundries etc. However, these industries have declined over the years and now like other cities of the United Kingdom service industry, software and publishing industry have become more prominent in its economy. Tourism is also a major contributor to the economy of Bath as every year large number of tourists visit the city.
Bath is also famous for its elegant Georgian terraces, such as the Royal Crescent and the Circus. In addition to its historical and architectural charm, Bath offers a vibrant cultural scene with numerous museums, art galleries, and theatres. The city’s most popular attractions like Mary Shelley’s House, Jane Austen’s House Museum, Bath Abbey, Holburne Museum, and the Historic Roman Baths are very popular.
7. Glasgow
Glasgow located in the West Central lowland, of Scotland at the bank of River Clyde is the second largest city in Scotland. This city comes with its rich history, stunning architecture, and lively cultural scene. The economy of Glasgow is also the second largest in Scotland. Although the city is located in the northern part of the United Kingdom the climate here is oceanic type making it warmer than any other city which are located at the same longitude.
Although Glasgow is such an old city, very little of its ancient architecture is preserved and over the years it has become a very modern city with modern architecture and amenities. Glasgow was famous for its shipbuilding and manufacturing industry but with time these industries declined and other duties like finance, business, education, bioscience, communication, tourism etc have become the main contributor to the city’s economy.
Music and entertainment play a significant role in the city’s cultural scene. Glasgow is famous for its live music venues, hosting a wide range of genres and attracting both local and international tourists. Sports lovers will be satisfied by Glasgow’s passion for football. The city is home to two popular football clubs, Rangers FC and Celtic FC. The popular Hampden Park stadium, and Celtic Park the largest football stadium in Scotland are also located in the city.
Some of the most popular landmarks and tourist spots of Glasgow are People’s Palace, Glasgow Cathedral, Pollok Country Park, Provan Hall, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Glasgow Science Centre, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, etc.
8. Cambridge
Cambridge is another popular city located on the banks of River Cam, England. This is a vibrant and historic city famous for its prestigious university, stunning architecture, and rich cultural heritage. The world-famous university the “University of Cambridge” is located in this city. The climate of the city is comparatively warmer than many other cities in the United Kingdom. The city is a much smaller city than the cities discussed above. It is also a diverse city as students from all over the world come to attend Cambridge University.
The city is also known for its vibrant culture. The Cambridge Corn Exchange hosts a wide range of shows, comedy acts, and theatrical performances throughout the year. For history lovers, a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum is a must. The museum is filled with art and art antiquities, there are lots of collections of artwork and artefacts from around the globe, including ancient Egyptian antiques, European masterpieces, and stylish works.
The architecture of Cambridge is very beautiful and still has the charm of the old times. Moreover, it is a great place for tourists who want to witness the heritage of Cambridge University, the beautiful churches and cathedrals. Cambridge is a university city and it works as a recruitment hub for big multinational companies.
9. Bristol
Bristol, located on the bank of River Avon, is one of the most populous cities in the South West United Kingdom. The city is located in a limestone area with some mind-blowing natural scenery. The climate of Bristol is also oceanic type. The Atlantic Ocean influence is the reason behind Bristol having temperatures above freezing throughout the year. It is one of the UK’s pollution-free cities.
Bristol’s economy was largely dependent on export through the port. However, presently the economy of the city is widespread and depends on lots of industries like defence, aerospace, tourism, finance, and media. It is a great city for tourists as it offers natural scenery, beautiful architecture, museums etc. Some of the most popular landmarks of Bristol are Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Bristol Zoo Garden, SS Great Britain, Brandon Hill Park etc.
10. Oxford
Oxford is a small city located 90 km northwest of London which was founded in the 8th century. The city is famous for Oxford University which is one of the elite Universities of the world and also the second oldest University in the world in constant operation. The River Thames and Cherwell run through the city. Oxford is witness to all types of architectural styles and this is evident in Oxford University as all types of architecture are found in it. The climate of Oxford is temperate Maritime type and rainfall is evenly distributed all around the year.
The economy of Oxford is not very big like the big cities of the United Kingdom. The main industries are manufacturing, research, tourism, publishing, and education. Some of the major international companies located in Oxford are BMW, Oxford University Press, Oxford Instruments etc. The city is a major tourist attraction and people from all over the world come to visit it. Some of the most popular tourist attractions of Oxford are Oxford University, Radcliffe Camera, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Castle & Prison etc.